What comes to your mind when you hear the word “evangelical?” Do you know any evangelicals personally? Exactly what is an evangelical, anyway?

The dictionary uses the adjective form of the term to define the noun; in other words, an evangelical is one affiliated with an evangelical church or party.

The term itself derives from a Greek noun, euangelion, which means “glad tidings, good or joyful news” and appears in various forms up to nearly 100 times in the New Testament. (Evangelical Dictionary of Theology).

In English, “evangelical” refers to a Christian or church that “believes in the sole authority and inerrancy of the Bible, in salvation only through regeneration, and in a spiritually transformed personal life.” (American Heritage Dictionary).

David Bebbington identifies the following four key ingredients of evangelicalism: a) conversion, b) the Bible as authority, c) activism, or dedication to service and evangelism, and 4) conviction that Christ’s death on the cross provides the means of reconciliation with a holy God. (“Evangelicalism in Modern Britain”).

Professor Mark Noll of Wheaton College in Illinois says that about 30 percent of American adults practice a religion “that looks more or less evangelical.” He says “the death of Christ on the cross is still at the heart of evangelical religion.” (“Center Conversations,” Ethics & Public Policy Center, Washington, D.C., June 2004).

What is the Bible actually referring to when it talks about the “good news” (evangel)? Saving a bunch of money by switching to Geico?

Not really.

In Scripture, the “good news” of salvation through faith in Christ is contrasted with the “bad news” of humanity’s own wretched condition by nature. The Bible says that every individual on earth is conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5) and therefore separated from God. The gospel is that Jesus came to freely offer, to all those who will receive it, a salvation from eternity in hell apart from God.

But there is yet another important mark of evangelicalism, and that is its emphasis on the dynamic personal relationship that every believer is entitled to enjoy with God, even in this life.

Evangelicals share the common conviction that God is alive and real and near to all who will call upon him (Psalm 145:18). They hold that Jesus is a living reality, not just the product of wishful thinking.

The Bible says that God’s Spirit assures every believer that they are actually God’s children. It tells Christians that there is a valid basis for calling God “Father” – or even “Daddy” (Romans 8:15-16).

Unlike many other religions which posit a God who is distant and detached, evangelical Christianity promotes the idea of a relationship with God that is personal and meaningful. Evangelicals believe that although God is infinite, he is also intimately acquainted with every person (Psalm 139:3). All of this is why evangelical congregations will often sing hymns like “Draw Me Nearer,” “Anywhere with Jesus,” and “I Am Thine, O Lord.”

Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias tells a story that conveys these same principles quite effectively.

He and a number of his staff members once held a meeting in Budapest, Hungary, with eight or nine self-avowed atheists – all intellectually brilliant men. Each had driven a considerable distance to attend the meeting that evening. For some time the conversation went back and forth. The Christians used their most persuasive arguments, but the atheists weren’t budging. Finally, Zacharias said, “Do you men mind if I pray for you before we conclude this meeting?” They all appeared a bit nonplused, but no one actually objected. So Zacharias prayed a very sincere and personal prayer. Then he said “Amen.”

When they raised their heads and looked around, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. Somehow that prayer had done what no argument could do. It was as though it had never occurred to any of these men that God could actually be addressed, that he was personal, and that he was anything other than a sterile concept to be debated. Later that night one of the group got up and walked and walked and walked. Then he reached out in faith to this infinite-personal God of the universe, receiving Christ as his Savior.

Evangelicals are normal people who enjoy eating, who work regular jobs, and who put their pants on one leg at a time. None are perfect, which is why I’m sure that most would prefer that evangelicalism be ultimately evaluated on the basis of Jesus Christ, who is himself the personification of Good News.

The Rev. Daryl E. Witmer is pastor of the Monson Community Church and founder and director of AIIA Institute, a Christian apologetics organization. He may be reached via be reached through ChristianAnswers.Net/AIIA or AIIAInstitute@aol.com. Voices is a weekly commentary by five Maine columnists who explore issues affecting spirituality and religious life.